With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, it is time to go over this thing with a fine-tooth comb. The first division recap on the list will be the NFC North. How do I feel about the draft hauls of the Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings? Let’s dive in!
2026 NFL Draft: NFC North Draft Recap
CHICAGO BEARS
| Round | Pick | POS | NAME | SCHOOL |
| 1 | 25 | S | Dillon Thieneman | Oregon |
| 2 | 57 | IOL | Logan Jones | Iowa |
| 3 | 69 | TE | Sam Roush | Stanford |
| 3 | 89 | WR | Zavion Thomas | LSU |
| 4 | 124 | CB | Malik Muhammad | Texas |
| 5 | 166 | LB | Keyshaun Elliott | Arizona State |
| 6 | 213 | DL | Jordan van den Berg | Georgia Tech |
Favorite Pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Biggest Reach: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
Biggest Steal: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Favorite UDFA Signing: Hayden Large, TE, Iowa
The Bears stood their ground, and the 12th-best player on my board fell to them at 25. Thieneman is an easy upgrade at the safety position for Chicago. I expect that Logan Jones will push Garrett Bradbury as the starting center this season. On paper, Sam Roush is overkill in the Bears’ tight end room. Pick 89 was too high for Zavion Thomas. But he is their starter at both return spots in 2026. Malik Muhammad is a starting-level corner that they acquired in the 4th round. Jordan van den Berg is a rare athlete at the position. But can he produce enough to make the roster?
DETROIT LIONS
| Round | Pick | POS | NAME | SCHOOL |
| 1 | 17 | OT | Blake Miller | Clemson |
| 2 | 44 | EDGE | Derrick Moore | Michigan |
| 4 | 118 | LB | Jimmy Rolder | Michigan |
| 5 | 157 | CB | Keith Abney II | Arizona State |
| 5 | 168 | WR | Kendrick Law | Kentucky |
| 6 | 205 | DL | Skyler Gill-Howard | Texas Tech |
| 7 | 222 | DL | Tyre West | Tennessee |
Favorite Pick: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Biggest Reach: None
Biggest Steal: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Favorite UDFA Signing: Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State
The Lions drafted players who fit their team profile. Starting with Blake Miller, who should assume the right tackle role. Can Derrick Moore accentuate their star pass rusher (and fellow Wolverine) Aidan Hutchinson? I think Abney can push for their CB3 role as a rookie. I also like 6th-round pick Skyler Gill-Howard. Before his injury this year, he was a productive pass rusher for Texas Tech.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
| Round | Pick | POS | NAME | SCHOOL |
| 2 | 52 | CB | Brandon Cisse | South Carolina |
| 3 | 77 | DL | Chris McClellan | Missouri |
| 4 | 120 | EDGE | Dani Dennis-Sutton | Penn State |
| 5 | 153 | IOL | Jager Burton | Kentucky |
| 6 | 201 | CB | Domani Jackson | Alabama |
| 6 | 216 | K | Trey Smack | Florida |
Favorite Pick: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
Biggest Reach: None
Biggest Steal: Dennis-Sutton
Favorite UDFA Signing: RJ Maryland, TE, SMU
The Packers draft was a bit of a ride. Brandon Cisse was not even my favorite South Carolina cornerback this season. I do like 3rd round pick Chris McClellan as a solid rotational piece at defensive tackle. I firmly believe that the Packers got the steal of the draft with Dani Dennis-Sutton. He is an elite athlete and a tremendous pass rusher. I believe Jager Burton should be able to back up all of the interior spots. I am not a fan of drafting kickers, but they had to improve on Brandon McManus.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
| Round | Pick | POS | NAME | SCHOOL |
| 1 | 18 | DL | Caleb Banks | Florida |
| 2 | 51 | LB | Jake Golday | Cincinnati |
| 3 | 82 | DL | Domonique Orange | Iowa State |
| 3 | 97 | OT | Caleb Tiernan | Northwestern |
| 3 | 98 | S | Jakobe Thomas | Miami (FL) |
| 5 | 159 | FB | Max Bredeson | Michigan |
| 5 | 163 | CB | Charles Demmings | Stephen F. Austin |
| 6 | 198 | RB | Demond Claiborne | Wake Forest |
| 7 | 235 | IOL | Gavin Gerhardt | Cincinnati |
Favorite Pick: Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State
Biggest Reach: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Biggest Steal: None
Favorite UDFA Signing: Delby Lemieux, IOL, Datmouth
Minnesota made the biggest boom-or-bust pick in the first round. Caleb Banks is an athletic freak. His 2024 tape was fantastic. But multiple foot injuries for a player of his size are concerning. I do like the two-day, two-defensive additions in Jake Golday and the “Big Citrus” Domonique Orange. Keep an eye on Demond Claiborne on day three.
